Destiny Pharma announces research collaboration with the University of Southampton targeting infections in diabetic foot ulcers and cystic fibrosis

Posted on by Kirsty Richardson

Destiny Pharma plc
(“Destiny Pharma” or “the Company”)

Destiny Pharma announces research collaboration with the University of Southampton targeting infections in diabetic foot ulcers and cystic fibrosis

Collaboration to investigate potential antimicrobial candidates from the Company’s XF drug platform against infections associated with biofilms

Brighton, United Kingdom – 1 November 2018 – Destiny Pharma (AIM: DEST), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel antimicrobial drugs, that addresses the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), today announces it has been jointly awarded a National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) funded research collaboration with the University of Southampton. The project is intended to examine the use of the Company’s novel XF compounds to prevent, control, and eradicate chronic clinical infections with underlying biofilm involvement, such as those in diabetic foot ulcers and cystic fibrosis.

There is a significant unmet medical need in both the treatment and management of biofilms which can cause and exacerbate serious infections. Destiny Pharma’s XF compounds have already shown the potential to eradicate bacteria, such as MRSA, within a biofilm. The NBIC funded collaboration plans to expand on this data using laboratory and clinical microbial biofilm models and the expertise of the team at the University of Southampton’s Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, who have established ex vivo biofilm model systems and access to clinical infection samples that will be utilised in the collaboration. Financial terms of the collaboration have not been disclosed.

Professor Jeremy Webb, Co-Director of National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC), commented:

“Destiny Pharma’s XF series show exciting promise and activity against bacterial biofilms. The NBIC funding will be used to accelerate the development of these compounds using clinically relevant biofilm models for chronic wound infections, including diabetic foot ulcers and within cystic fibrosis respiratory infection, to fill an important need in the treatment of antibiotic tolerant infections.”

Neil Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Destiny Pharma, added:

“We are excited to collaborate with the expert team at the University of Southampton. The collaboration will further explore the utility of our XF drug platform in the treatment of infections involving biofilms, especially in relation to diabetic foot ulcers and cystic fibrosis. As we have previously commented, biofilms represent a significant barrier to antimicrobial treatment and this collaboration may help us identify additional clinical candidates that are safe, effective and with a significantly reduced level of antimicrobial resistance.”

Biofilms are recognised as a key factor in the inability of antibiotics (and other antibacterial agents) to successfully treat infections. The formation of bacterial biofilms is implicated in the development of cystic fibrosis pneumonia, diabetic foot ulcers, dental caries and infections associated with indwelling medical devices, (e.g. hip implants and catheters). In the US, 1.7 million biofilm-related infections, (e.g. urinary tract, surgical, respiratory and circulatory infections) are annually reported (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report, 2007). The annual estimation of the cost of biofilm infections in the US is $94 billion, while annual biofilm-related healthcare-associated infections cost the NHS £1 billion p.a.

For further information, please contact:

Destiny Pharma plc
Neil Clark, CEO
Shaun Claydon, CFO
pressoffice@destinypharma.com
+44 (0)1273 704 440

National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)
Razwana Quadir, Communications Manager
R.Quadir@soton.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 8059 4446

University of Southampton
Press and Public Relations
press@southampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 8059 3212

FTI Consulting
Simon Conway / Victoria Foster Mitchell
destinypharma@fticonsulting.com
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Philip Davies / Will Goode, Corporate Finance
Andrew Keith, Healthcare Equity Sales
+44 (0)20 7894 7000

finnCap Ltd (Joint Broker)
Geoff Nash /Kate Bannatyne, Corporate Finance
Alice Lane, Corporate Broking
+44 (0)20 7220 0500

About XF-73

XF-73 is a synthetic anti-microbial active against all tested Staphylococcus aureus strains, including drug resistant strains. By acting via a cell-surface mechanism it affects the bacterial membrane permeability and integrity, leading to cell death. XF-73 has already been through five successful Phase I/IIb clinical trials showing rapid antibacterial action.

XF-73 is indicated for the prevention of post-surgical staphylococcal infections. In the US, there are approximately 40 million surgeries per annum alone where the patient is at risk of a post-surgical infection. However, within this large population there are particular groups who are at an even higher risk of infection due to the nature of their surgery or the procedures and/or their specific hospital environment in which they are treated. These higher risk surgical procedures include cardiovascular, orthopaedic and other complex surgeries. Destiny Pharma estimates that this totals approximately 14 million US surgeries per year, with this figure set to rise within the context of an ageing population.

About biofilms and fungal infections

Biofilms are an increasing problem that are poorly treated by current drugs. They act as a protective barrier for bacteria and have been traditionally associated with indwelling medical devices (for example, heart valves and joint replacements), and invasive medical devices (for example, catheters and endoscopes). It is now acknowledged that biofilms have a major involvement in bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, middle-ear infections, gingivitis, corneal infections and more lethal diseases, such as endocarditis and cystic fibrosis. More recently it has been noted that bacterial biofilms may impair cutaneous wound healing and reduce topical antibacterial efficiency in healing or treating infected skin wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers.

Whilst several fungal species have been implicated in cystic fibrosis associated pneumonia, their role as spectators or contributors to the pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. Exploring the anti-fungal properties of the XF-platform on fungal species present in clinical samples of sputum from CF patients may shed light on that role.

About Destiny Pharma

Destiny Pharma is an established, clinical stage, innovative biotechnology company focused on the development of novel medicines that represent a new approach to the treatment of infectious disease. These potential new medicines are being developed to address the need for new drugs for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as “superbugs”. Tackling anti-microbial resistance has become a global imperative recognised by the WHO and the United Nations, as well as the G7 and the G20 countries. For further information, please visit

https://www.destinypharma.com

About National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)

NBIC is the central hub where academia, industry, government, and public policy come together to tackle the global challenges biofilms present, through a forward-thinking, collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. Funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Innovate UK and Hartree Centre, our mission is to establish a network of research and innovation capacity in order to catalyse partnerships with industry in the study of biofilms to achieve breakthrough innovations and impact – from industry products and solutions to services and spinouts. The four core partners are the University of Southampton, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Liverpool and the University of Nottingham. They have now been joined by an additional 27 universities and over 60 industry partners in the aim to prevent, detect, manage and engineer solutions in biofilms.

www.biofilms.ac.uk

About the University of Southampton

Among the top 100 institutions in the world (QS University Rankings, 2019), the University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s leading challenges, from cancer to cybersecurity. The University’s academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 24,000-strong community of exceptional students, from over 135 countries globally. With a firm foundation of academic and research excellence, Biological Sciences at the University has a strong focus on finding solutions to contemporary challenges with real-life benefits, supporting and inspiring bio scientists of the future and by working across various disciplines with other universities, private industry and the public sector.

http://www.southampton.ac.uk

Directorate Change

Posted on by Kirsty Richardson

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE EU MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (596/2014). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 Destiny Pharma plc

(“Destiny Pharma” or “the Company”)

Directorate Change

 Destiny Pharma appoints Shaun Claydon as Chief Financial Officer

Brighton, United Kingdom – 25 October 2018 – Destiny Pharma (AIM: DEST), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel antimicrobial drugs, which address the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), today announces the appointment of Shaun Claydon to the Board as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Company Secretary with immediate effect. Shaun succeeds Simon Sacerdoti who has chosen to step down as CFO, Company Secretary, and a member of the Board to pursue other business opportunities. Mr Sacerdoti, having successfully helped the Company through its successful Initial Public Offering on AIM in 2017, will remain an employee of Destiny Pharma until the end of the year to ensure an orderly handover, at which point he will continue to assist the Board in a consultancy capacity.

Mr Claydon is an accomplished corporate financier and Chartered Accountant with over 16 years board level experience within the biotechnology sector. He has extensive experience of delivering financial and operating results and recently served as CFO of Creabilis, a venture backed clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology treatments, during which he led a $150 million sale of the business to Sienna Biopharmaceuticals.

Prior to that he was CFO and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Orteq Sports Medicine, a medical device company and world leader in the field of biodegradable polymer technologies. Mr Claydon was also responsible for origination and execution of domestic and international mergers and acquisitions as a director in HSBC’s Investment Banking division. Mr Claydon holds a BA in Economics from the University of Leeds, UK.

Sir Nigel Rudd, Chairman of Destiny Pharma, commented:

“On behalf of the Board, I wish to express our gratitude to Simon for his valuable contribution to Destiny Pharma over the past three years, including being an integral member of the team to execute a successful IPO last year. We are pleased to welcome Shaun to Destiny Pharma. His broad and relevant biotechnology sector experience as both CFO and COO will prove invaluable to the Company as we execute our clinical strategy and next stages of growth.”

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies. Shaun Claydon, aged 50, has been a director of the following companies during the five years preceding the date of this announcement:

Current directorships

Past directorships

Distil plc

Orteq Limited

 

Orteq Inc

Save as set out above there are no further disclosures pursuant to Rule 17 or Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

Mr Claydon has no beneficial interest in the ordinary shares of the Company.

For further information, please contact:

Destiny Pharma plc
Neil Clark, CEO
pressoffice@destinypharma.com
+44 (0)1273 704 440

FTI Consulting
Simon Conway / Victoria Foster Mitchell
destinypharma@fticonsulting.com
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Philip Davies / Will Goode, Corporate Finance
Andrew Keith, Healthcare Equity Sales
+44 (0)20 7894 7000

finnCap Ltd (Joint Broker)
Geoff Nash /Kate Bannatyne, Corporate Finance
Alice Lane, Corporate Broking
+44 (0)20 7220 0500

About Destiny Pharma

Destiny Pharma is an established, clinical stage, innovative biotechnology company focused on the development of novel medicines that represent a new approach to the treatment of infectious disease. These potential new medicines are being developed to address the need for new drugs for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as “superbugs”. Tackling anti-microbial resistance has become a global imperative recognised by the WHO and the United Nations, as well as the G7 and the G20 countries. For further information, please visit https://www.destinypharma.com

UK government highlights global threat of AMR

Posted on by Kirsty Richardson

Destiny Pharma plc

(“Destiny Pharma” or the “Company”)

Destiny Pharma’s lead asset, XF-73, well positioned to address the global threat of anti-microbial resistance highlighted in new UK government report

Brighton, United Kingdom – 24 October 2018 – Destiny Pharma (AIM: DEST), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel anti-microbial drugs, which address the global problem of anti-microbial resistance (AMR), welcomes a recent report from the UK government’s health and social care committee focusing on the global threat of AMR and the urgent need for new treatments to tackle infections.

Destiny Pharma’s novel drug candidate, XF-73, is currently in Phase II clinical development and is designed to deliver a profile that specifically targets the prevention of post-surgical infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Unlike most antibiotics, XF-73 has not been seen to generate bacterial resistance in industry-standard microbiology tests to date and therefore also has significant potential to address the global threat of AMR alongside its fast, safe and effective anti-infective action.

Neil Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Destiny Pharma, commented:

“If we are successful in the development of our lead asset, XF-73 will be a novel drug to prevent post-surgical infections with the profile required to meet the AMR challenges highlighted by the UK government this week. We remain well-funded through to H2 2020 as we seeks to address this global issue, estimated in the US alone to be a $1 billion sales opportunity.”

The full report from the UK government’s health and social care committee can be found here.

For further information, please contact:

Destiny Pharma plc
Neil Clark, CEO
pressoffice@destinypharma.com
+44 (0)1273 704 440

FTI Consulting
Simon Conway / Victoria Foster Mitchell
destinypharma@fticonsulting.com
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Philip Davies / Will Goode, Corporate Finance
Andrew Keith, Healthcare Equity Sales
+44 (0)20 7894 7000

finnCap Ltd (Joint Broker)
Geoff Nash /Kate Bannatyne, Corporate Finance
Alice Lane, Corporate Broking
+44 (0)20 7220 0500

About Destiny Pharma

Destiny Pharma is an established, clinical stage, innovative biotechnology company focused on the development of novel medicines that represent a new approach to the treatment of infectious disease. These potential new medicines are being developed to address the need for new drugs for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as “superbugs”. Tackling anti-microbial resistance has become a global imperative recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations, as well as the G7 and the G20 countries. For further information, please visit https://www.destinypharma.com

BIA celebrates UK bioscience innovative

Posted on by Kirsty Richardson

Destiny Pharma plc

(“Destiny Pharma” or the “Company”)

BIA celebrates UK bioscience in creating innovative new drugs and treatment for patients

A series of videos and explainer documents launched, focusing on cutting-edge R&D taking place in UK biotech companies, including Destiny Pharma

Destiny Pharma has been chosen to exemplify the UK’s leading status in antimicrobial resistance research

Brighton, United Kingdom – 19 October 2018 – Destiny Pharma (AIM: DEST), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel anti-microbial drugs, which address the global problem of anti-microbial resistance (AMR), notes the launch of a series of videos and explainer documents from the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) celebrating UK bioscience and revealing the cutting-edge R&D taking place in biotech companies around the UK.

Destiny Pharma has been chosen, alongside selected other UK biotech companies, to exemplify the UK’s leading status in key areas of biotechnology including antimicrobial resistance, genomics, cell and gene therapy and engineering biology. These videos and explainers cover strategic technologies being developed to offer potentially life-changing solutions to individuals and societies across the globe. The materials are available on the strategic technologies section of the BIA website.

Dr William Love, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Destiny Pharma, commented:

“We welcome the BIA’s continued support for companies investing in the development of much needed novel anti-infective treatments. The UK is one of the global leaders in antimicrobial resistance research and these materials give a true sense of the ground-breaking work being done here. Destiny Pharma is well-positioned to address in part this global issue through the continued clinical development of our novel XF drug platform.”

The full text of the BIA announcement is reproduced below:

BIA launches videos and explainer documents celebrating UK bioscience and revealing the cutting-edge R&D taking place in biotech companies around the UK

The UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) has today launched a series of four explainer booklets and five videos that celebrate the fantastic work taking place in UK bioscience companies to create innovative new drugs and treatments for patients.

The videos and explainers cover key areas of biotechnology including genomics, cell and gene therapy, antimicrobial resistance and engineering biology, as well as a video with the BIA charity of the year Parkinson’s UK looking at how artificial intelligence can help boost R&D into Parkinson’s.

All of the materials will be made available at the UK Bioscience Forum on Thursday 18 October, which brings together stakeholders from across the UK bioscience ecosystem for a day of panel discussions, networking and presentations. The keynote speaker for the event is Sir Mark Walport who will be updating attendees on how UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will support the life sciences sector in the future.

BIA CEO, Steve Bates, said: “UK bioscience companies are at the forefront of these innovative, converging disciplines and these materials give a snapshot of the cutting-edge R&D that BIA member companies are engaged in to bring new treatments to patients.”

“The science profiled in these explainers has the potential to change the lives of patients living with diseases across the globe. The vibrancy of the UK bioscience ecosystem continues to attract top talent and investment from around the world and demonstrates the ability of our sector to weather political storms.”

Case studies and expert opinion for the explainers and videos came from the BIA’s Advisory Committees and working groups. The BIA’s Advisory Committees are crucial mechanisms for highlighting the most relevant issues facing bioscience companies. Committee members include influential experts from across the sector.

You can view all of the new materials on the strategic technologies section of the BIA website.

 

Notes to editors

Explainer reports: Antimicrobial Resistance, Genomics, Cell and Gene Therapy, Engineering Biology

Videos: Parkinson’s UK & Benevolent AI, Antimicrobial Resistance, Cell and Gene Therapy, Engineering Biology, Genomics

Contact: Ed Sexton, Senior Communications Manager, BIA

esexton@bioindustry.org 02076302196

About the BIA

Established over 25 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative enterprises involved in UK bioscience. Members include emerging and more established bioscience companies; pharmaceutical companies; academic, research and philanthropic organisations; and service providers to the bioscience sector. The BIA represents the interests of its members to a broad section of stakeholders, from government and regulators to patient groups and the media. Our goal is to secure the UK’s position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people’s lives.

For further information, please go to www.bioindustry.org and twitter.com/BIA_UK

For further information, please contact:

Destiny Pharma plc
Neil Clark, CEO
Simon Sacerdoti, CFO
pressoffice@destinypharma.com
+44 (0)1273 704 440

FTI Consulting
Simon Conway / Victoria Foster Mitchell
destinypharma@fticonsulting.com
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Philip Davies / Will Goode, Corporate Finance
Andrew Keith, Healthcare Equity Sales
+44 (0)20 7894 7000

finnCap Ltd (Joint Broker)
Geoff Nash /Kate Bannatyne, Corporate Finance
Alice Lane, Corporate Broking
+44 (0)20 7220 0500

About Destiny Pharma

Destiny Pharma is an established, clinical stage, innovative biotechnology company focused on the development of novel medicines that represent a new approach to the treatment of infectious disease. These potential new medicines are being developed to address the need for new drugs for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as “superbugs”. Tackling anti-microbial resistance has become a global imperative recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations, as well as the G7 and the G20 countries. For further information, please visit https://www.destinypharma.com